The German centre-back has played only 29 times in 2½ years due to his own injury problems.

Guardiola has been happier with his side's improved defending - they have conceded just three goals since the 4-2 loss to Leicester on December 10 - but he admitted he could land more defenders this January.

The City boss said: "Sometimes when you make these kind of statements, when you say we are better, you arrive the next day and you concede four goals.

“From my point of view, I think we conceded a lot of goals but we conceded few chances. I’m happy for that but we have to work more on our game.